“If you have second thoughts, Brad and Drew would be happy to go back on tour.” I detect the hint of hope in her voice. “All you have to do is say the word.” She snaps her fingers. “I’ll figure out all the details, and you’ll be on a flight out of here.”
Nash smirks. “You’d have to wait until Brad’s black eye fades before he can be seen in public.”
Valerie narrows her eyes. “That’s not funny.”
When my bandmates found out I’d formed a pack without them, it went down as badly as our last single. I’m not proud ofpunching Brad, but I couldn’t let them talk shit about my new pack.
Nash crosses his arms. “I never said it was.”
Valerie scoffs at Nash’s expression, which clearly says otherwise.
“I’m sure Brad and Drew will be happy to take a break from touring,” Tae intervenes smoothly. His calming vibe is exactly what we all need right now, but even he can’t temper the awkward atmosphere. “After everything that’s happened, some distance will be good for everyone.”
“Hm.” Valerie taps away on her phone with her talon-like nails. “Maybe you’re right.”
After living as a solo alpha my entire life, becoming part of a pack so suddenly came as a shock to everyone. Valerie, and everyone else at my record label, wanted me to form a pack with my two bandmates, but I’d never felt like Brad and Drew were family. I could never fully be myself around them. They loved the “Jagger Knight” rockstar persona and everything that came along with it: my playboy image, endless partying, and the extravagant lifestyle. But they never cared about getting to know the real me.
I expected to be alone forever until I met Tae and Nash, who changed everything.
“SVU should have put up better security for your arrival,” Nash growls as he looks at the chaotic scene in front of us. “How did the media know you were arriving today?”
“I bet they’ve been camping out for days.” Tae nudges me playfully in the ribs. “Everyone wants a piece of Jagger, huh?”
It seems that every major news organization has shown up for my first semester at college. Going anywhere when you’re famous is like a military operation. Nothing is spontaneous, and you’re not entitled to privacy or a personal life. The media thinks they own you, pure and simple.
“Maybe we should stop to say hello?” Valerie primps her greying bouffant. “A quick quote will be great to reassure the fans thatPack Fireis still alive and well. After your surprise announcement, the internet is going crazy, wondering whether the band is breaking up.”
Nash’s jaw tics in annoyance before he bites out, “That wasn’t the plan, Val.”
Today isn’t only a big deal for me. It’s a fresh start for him and Tae too. They left their entire lives behind to join me. During my time studying here, Nash will be acting as my bodyguard, and Tae has found a job on campus to keep him busy. Despite my telling him he never needs to work again, he insists that he has to do something or he’ll go stir-crazy.
Aside from my previous bandmates and a few select individuals who my lawyer forced to sign NDAs, the world doesn’t know about my pack yet. To protect them, I plan to keep it a secret for as long as possible. My life may be a toxic media circus, but theirs doesn’t have to be.
“Jagger!” Fists pound against the tinted car windows. “We love you, Jagger!”
“What a welcoming committee, huh?” Tae’s joking around, but a lingering worry hides behind his words.
Guilt gnaws at my stomach with every camera flash and yell. Although they both knew what they were signing up for when we formed a pack, living and experiencing it is totally different. Despite their reassurances that they’re ready for this, part of me is still worried that they’ll want to return to their normal lives and leave me behind as soon as they see what my reality is really like.
Since my last tour ended, the three of us have enjoyed a few chill months. Both of them were surprised when I said that I wanted to go to college, but they never questioned it. A fresh wave of regret hits me. Maybe I should have been more honestwith them about my real reason for coming here, but I couldn’t risk them saying no…
“Val may have a point.” I massage my temples. “If I give them a brief statement and smile for the cameras, they’ll get bored and leave quicker.”
“How many more photos of you do they need?” Nash grumbles.
Tae snorts. “I take it you won’t want thePack Firecalendar that I bought you for your next birthday?”
“Living with the real thing is bad enough,” Nash jokes.
This is one of the many reasons why I love them like brothers. They’re not intimidated by my fame. They easily take it in stride and aren’t afraid to poke fun at me, which is surprisingly refreshing when I’m used to people constantly kissing my ass.
“Welcome to show business, Nash!” Valerie flails her arms. “You’re going to have to get used to the cameras.”
“Doesn’t mean I have to like it.” He glares at her. “But fine. One photo. Two minutes. That’s it, and only once we’re within SVU’s security perimeter.”
Although he’s worked all sorts of odd jobs over the years, this is Nash’s first time working as a bodyguard. You wouldn’t know it, judging by how well he’s been coordinating with the SVU security team ahead of our arrival. At twenty-eight, he’s three years older than me and Tae and our packs steady anchor.
“Wonderful!” Valerie claps her hands before pulling a piece of paper out of her purse. “I already prepared a statement for you. Just in case.”
